Safe2Tell School Tipline Reports Increase In Calls

DENVER - The Safe2Tell program has released its latest monthly report. Although fewer tips were received in December than in the previous month, the volume of tips received for the current school year continues to outpace contact numbers for 2018-19.

Safe2Tell is a violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own or others’ safety. The initiative was founded by a former Colorado Springs police detective in the wake of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.

In December, the program received 2,100 tips, an 8 percent increase over December 2018. For the 2019-2020 school year, Safe2Tell has received 11,485 tips so far, a 25 percent increase over the 2018-2019 school year. Suicide threats (403), drugs (150), and bullying (141) continue to be the top categories of tips Safe2Tell received.

Although December contact numbers were down slightly on November’s figures, this is in line with other years’ figures. The program tends to experience lower contact numbers during the spring, summer and winter school breaks.

“Although Safe2Tell reports decrease during the holidays when many of our Colorado schools are on break, the continued increase in monthly tip volume when compared to last year shows our students and families are remaining vigilant,” said state Attorney General Phil Weiser. “As we move into 2020, it is important that students continue to report anything they deem suspicious or cause for concern.”

False tips remain at approximately 2.5 percent of all tips submitted. False tips are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

“Safe2Tell tip volume often decreases during the month of December. Even though most schools are closed for a time during this month, the holidays can be difficult for those dealing with mental health issues. We want to remind students that they can anonymously report any safety concerns they may have, day or night, to Safe2Tell,” said Essi Ellis, director of Safe2Tell.

Although Safe2Tell is focused on student safety it is not an emergency response unit; rather it acts as a conduit for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement, school officials, and other appropriate responding parties in accordance with state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports also can be made via the program’s website at https://Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app. The app is available at both the Apple App Store and Google Play.